Shipping vs buying in Singapore

[Mummy583]

I am moving with my family to Singapore for two years and am considering what to pack, what to store and what to buy when I get there. I thought I'd try to make a quick comparison of the cost of things in Singapore like kitchen appliances/utensils, bed sheets, towels, toddler toys, etc by looking it all up in IKEA, mainly because it stocks most things and quality is usually good enough. Then I can work out how much it would cost to ship the equivalent by air/sea and figure out if its worth bothering.

Whether we send or buy, we are going to try to get by with a minimal amount of stuff because we'll be there for a relatively short period.

Is this a sound strategy? I also wanted to ask if IKEA might be overpriced in Singapore and of anyone can recommend alternatives that do home delivery!

Thanks!

Also how set back is the East coast path from the east coast parkway road? Can you hear it from the bike path?

I can't remember about the buses. The ECP is a dual carriageway so I doubt many buses stop regularly on there. There is a road which runs all alongside the ECP which passes through Katong, Siglap, Bedok all the way to near the airport. There are loads of bridges over the ECP which are bike and pram friendly and there are lots of passes under it. You can't go far without meeting one. I can't remember if you hear the traffic. It never bothered me. The ECP is not that busy.

I loved Siglap. I made lots of friends there and one of my fondest memories of Singapore is biking/ running down to the park and along it all the way to Tanah Merah. There you watch planes coming in. There is a great bar and restaurant there called Mana Mana. Hopefully it is still there. It is on the beach and so chilled out.

I wouldn't/ didn't live in Holland Village. It is cliquey, overpriced and it is a bubble. Robertson Key - I lived in the Great World Apartments when I arrived and then 6 weeks before I left. It was OK as it was handy and central. I wouldn't live round there as it is noisy at night round the quays.

I lived in Pebble Bay. The apartments are really sturdy and you well built and noise is very low. There is a great community there are BBQ's going on all the time. It also has a great pathway round it for running, walking and an evening stroll and a walk over to by the stadium.

As a SAHD I don't think he will have any problem. In fact I think mums tend to go out of their way to include them as it is a bit of a novelty. He needs to be sociable and be up for walks and meet ups.

Singapore is so friendly and the expats are a nice bunch. You meet people in the strangest places. You can even meet people at the checkout of the supermarket as you just get talking.

PositiveDiscipline thanks so much for your advice.

I have another question about running! We run a bit, and my husband lives taking our toddler in our relatively new and expensive running buggy. We thought we would have to leave it behind and it made me sad to think DS would outgrow it before we came back. Are the temperatures comfortable enough to run during the day? Would it be worth packing and taking the running buggy with us if it means sacrificing some space and weight on the flight there? Is pollution an issue - I was reading about the haze and how it can keep you indoors for months. Is it any better on the coast or is it pretty much the same all over Singapore?

Thanks again!

I most DEFINITELY would take your running buggy. At first the heat and humidity may get to you but you will get used to it. There was haze when I was there but I am not sure how much they have got to grips with it now. It doesn't last long. He could go running on the East Coast Park or in the Botanical Gardens. You get more of a breeze on the East Coast. That buggy would also be really handy to go over to Sentosa and walk everywhere with it. It never stopped me being active, just make sure you are sunscreen up and wear a sun visor and sunnies.

I used to have a Mountain Buggy Terrain and do the very same thing. If you do take it (and you will regret it if you don't) make sure you have a UV cover for it that will cover your toddlers legs. I had a total blackout cover that went over the front but didn't like it as I couldn't see DC and I bought something like this to make sure DC;'s legs were covered alongside sunscreen this
By the way, you can buy Badger Sunscreen in Singapore which is factor 50, contains Zinc and was voted best sunscreen in American tests a few years ago. Also, if you take the pram avoid escalators as they are a nightmare with those big running prams.

If you like running you may want to take a look at the Triathlon Running scene which is MASSIVE over there. We travelled loads as my DH took part in lots of them all over Asia. You can get super fit in Singapore as it is very geared to keeping fit outdoors and looking good in your swimsuit round the condo pool.

Aren't buggies free of charge on the plane? They don't count if I remember rightly.

Running along with your buggy along the East Coast Park with the breeze and the sound of the sea lapping up the beach.